WaterAid Ethiopia launches phase II Urban WASH System Strengthening Project

Addis Ababa, September 24, 2020 (FBC) -WaterAid Ethiopia has launched phase II Urban WASH System Strengthening Project that aims at strengthening Ethiopia’s urban WASH systems in 23 cluster lead towns.

The project will be implemented in 5 years (2020/21 – 2024/25) and covers 3 regions and 23 cluster lead towns at a total project cost of £1.25 million on phases.

According to a statement WaterAid Ethiopia sent to FBC today, Yorkshire Water, a UK-based water company, is committed to partially fund the project.

This utilities systems capacity development project is the continuation of WaterAid’s 20 towns flagship project that was implemented in four regions in the period between 2014-2019.

It takes a ‘Region-Wide Cluster Approach’ to its programming in Oromia, Amhara and Tigray in order to modernize WASH systems of cluster lead urban utilities and envisions to cascade the approach to additional cluster towns linked with cluster leads.

Yaekob Metana, Country Director of WaterAid Ethiopia said:

“WaterAid Ethiopia is committed to contribute its part to develop the capacity of Utilities so that they get modernized and able to manage the water, sanitation and hygiene services to residents they serve. We will continue to collaborate with the Government for water, sanitation and hygiene become priorities in the development endeavors, and work with partners to solicit fund to meet the project objectives”.

The launching ceremony, which happened today 24 September 2020, was conducted virtually in light of COVID-19 bringing together senior officials from Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Ministry of Health, NGOs, Academics, Regional Bureaus, and water utilities as well as WaterAid UK, East Africa Region, and WaterAid Ethiopia.

Phase II will continue to focus efforts in ‘missing middle’ of small-to-medium sized towns, particularly the zonal capital towns that will serve as cluster units.

Key partners of this project are Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Ministry of Health, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions, and project target urban towns where the project will be implemented over the coming 5-years period.